10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
82,301 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Nissan Frontier engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Nissan Frontier Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Jul 192022

Frontier

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission fluid cooler integrated in the radiator that allowed engine coolant to mix with and contaminate the automatic transmission fluid causing damage to the transmission. Radiator had to be replaced along with flushing out of the trans fluid at a service station costing a few thousand of dollars. Months later the check engine light went on and found out that the transmission is slipping caused by the fluid contamination.

- Binghamton, NY, USA

problem #25

Aug 102020

Frontier

  • 180,000 miles
Driving on street truck began to shake and vibrate I loss power and car couldn't shift into gear it seemed I pulled over and stopped and shut off. Car I started it began to drive and it wudnt go over 30mph I stopped and noticed leaking under the truck towards the engine and when I pressed on gas it wouldn't go still so I stopped and got towed

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #24

May 082020

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
The antifreeze and transmission fluid got mixed together in my truck and I am now told that the manufacturer knew that the truck would at least give me 100,000 miles before that would actually happen.

- Wrens, GA, USA

problem #23

Dec 042018

Frontier

  • 150,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The cooler tubes for the transmission and the radiator cracked, allowing for fluid to leak into the transmission. This resulted in rapid degradation of the friction elements within the transmission. The Frontier is now undrivable.

- Bothell, WA, USA

problem #22

Jun 152018

Frontier

  • 128,000 miles
This vehicle has known timing belt issues. The vehicle starts making a loud noise(whining) that gets louder as I drive faster on any road. This is a common problem and Nissan has not done anything to correct this problem. It will cost over 2400 dollars to fix this problem and Nissan doesn't seem to recall for this issue

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #21

Nov 222017

Frontier

  • 90,000 miles
Truck stops running while driving at speeds around 45mph. Engine off.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #20

Jun 032017

Frontier

  • 63,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission cooler in radiater failed and coolant leaked into transmission causing transmission failure and overheating.broke down on side of road and had to be towed.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #19

Jun 092017

Frontier 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,892 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, he observed an abnormal thumping sound from the hood of the vehicle without warning. The contact made the manufacturer aware of the failure, and the manufacturer referred the contact to his local dealer to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to local dealer (tom hesser Nissan, 900 oneil hwy, dunmore, pa, 18512) where it was diagnosed that the radiator hose was leaking fluid into the transmission causing the transmission to fail. The dealer stated that the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 46,892.....updated 11/16/17 the consumer requested to be reimbursed for the repairs. Updated 11/30/2017

- Honesdale, PA, USA

problem #18

Jul 042017

Frontier

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. While driving 5 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine and slip warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle on the first attempt. The contact stated that the failure occurred a total of three times. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #17

Jun 202017

Frontier

  • 119,000 miles
My truck would go in to gear but would not drive. I had it diagnosed by a transmission shop and they said that the radiator was leaking water and coolant in to my transmission and it would need to be replaced. I then had my vehicle towed to the Nissan dealer where the technician said that this is caused by a faulty hose on radiator and it was happening to a lot of Frontiers and xterras. When my husband questioned the tech on this being a recall he stated that it should be, but is not because it does not cause a safety issue. He told us we would need a new radiator, hoses, and transmission. The truck breaking down is a safety issue! we then had our truck towed to our normal mechanic and he is repairing it now.

- Oakboro, NC, USA

problem #16

Feb 012017

Frontier

  • 69,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine makes a whining noise that increases in frequency with engine RPM. The truck has 69,000 miles on it but the noise has been apparent for some time. I took the truck to the dealer and was informed that the secondary timing chain tensioners were worn out and needed to be replaced at a cost of $1,800.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #15

Feb 122008

Frontier

  • 6,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. While driving approximately 30 mph, there was a waddling noise coming from the passenger side of the engine. The vehicle stalled and the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain tensioner failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #14

Nov 012016

Frontier

  • 59,600 miles
My Nissan dealer told me today that the timing chain on the 4.0L V6 engine in my truck requires replacement. This truck has less than 60,000 miles on it and the dealer charges $2,140 for the work. Timing chains are normally expected to last for the life of the vehicle. Failure of the timing chain would destroy the engine and, if it occurred while the vehicle was in motion, could result in a crash. Nissan has known about a defective timing chain problem on this and related engines since at least 2004, yet they continued to use those defective timing chains until approximately 2010. Nissan should issue a recall and replace the chains under warranty.

- Mars Hill, NC, USA

problem #13

Apr 302016

Frontier

  • 61,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled with and all the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was able to restart minutes later. In addition, the service engine warning light and the flip error light illuminated continuously. The failure recurred six times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000. The VIN was not provided.

- Port Aranfasa, TX, USA

problem #12

Oct 202015

Frontier

  • 53,610 miles
1) $1473 to replace timing chain system @ 53,610 miles 2) Nissan had issued a service bulletin ntb09-128 revealing a knowledge of the issue on at least 3 models over a 5 year period of time 3) called Nissan Consumer Affairs to check on reimbursement since Nissan knew it was a problem. In fairness, they responded within 24 hrs. Only to take less than 1 minute to deny the claim 4) wrote 3 letters (1 per month) to Nissan Consumer Affairs until they contacted me again today 1/13/2016 only to deny the claim once again. I've owned only Nissan trucks since 1984 and been very happy with their products and quality. I bought this truck new in 2008 and only had 53,610 miles when this issue came up. I'm thankful I heard the noise and had it fixed before the chain(s) seized and caused major engine damage or even a wreck. I would have thought I had an uncommon problem (bad luck) if it hadn't been documented via the service bulletin. Nissan acknowledged the issue via the service bulletin that covered at least 3 models over a 5 year time span. They now refuse to accept any type of responsibility. A quick internet search reveals several class action lawsuits concerning the timing chain issue. I'm very unhappy with Nissan's lack of product support on what was was clearly a quality assurance problem. I will most likely not buy (nor recommend) a Nissan product anytime in the foreseeable future.

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #11

Nov 242015

Frontier

  • 167,514 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not accelerate. In addition, the vehicle started smoking. The contact stated that the front driver's side air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where it was diagnosed by an independent mechanic that the radiator and the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,514.

- Uncasville, CT, USA

problem #10

May 212015

Frontier

  • 78,132 miles
Timing chain guides and tensioners need to be replaced. Also the timing chains [3]. if these fail on the highway, a severe accident could result. Nissan has published bulletins on this problem but has not notified owners about it. There are evidently class action suits filed against them. These part are defective in design and quality and pose a potentially hazardous situation.

- Cedaredge , CO, USA

problem #9

Feb 012015

Frontier 4WD 6-cyl

  • 48,000 miles
I have a 2008 Nissan Frontier with only 48,000 miles on it. I noticed that the engine started to whine and took it to a local mechanic. Come to find out that this is a known issue and it will cost $1,500 to repair. I took a look on the internet and there are a lot of people stating that they have the same problem. I think that Nissan should be pressured to send out a recall to pay for the repairs on these engines.

- Glen Allen, VA, USA

problem #8

Apr 102014

Frontier

  • 102,355 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the transmission shifted erratically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission fluid and coolant were mixing. As a result, the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 102,355 and current mileage 102,400.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

problem #7

Apr 172014

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
I have the well documented problem with the radiator coolant entering and damaging the transmission. I am having it repaired a Nissan dealership. I will have to pay over 3200.00!. there was a settlement agreement that is ridiculous!. the problem does not even occur until over 80000 miles when Nissan will not cover anything. There are hundreds if not thousands of complaints.

- Lagrangeville, NY, USA

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